My apartment has south facing windows, which makes it SO HOT and blindingly bright. Sometimes I have to wear sunglasses indoors, and the wall of mirrors doesnt help matters! So I figured I might as well take advantage of living in a greenhouse and grow some herbs.

I’ve been collecting some potted herbs for the past few days. I bought some at the farmer’s market, some at Home Depot, and some more at my local florist. I was looking for the perfect pot to replant them in so I could leave them on my window sill and have fresh herbs everyday. The florist had her herbs in these glass square bowls, and she told me that with a few stones below the soil for drainage, the herbs would be just fine in one of those.

Im growing: Basil, Mint, Oregano, and Thyme. I have Rosemary growing in a separate pot because it has different watering needs. I put the Oregano and Mint at the edges because they tend to flop sideways, while the Basil and Thyme will stay more upright. For instructions on a fool-proof herb garden go HERE.

As a Wellness Educator, I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to help people experience more peace in their lives. Part of what I do is teach people how to practice relaxation techniques. After all, remaining calm takes practice, just as Yoga, meditation, and a whole host of other activities. Oh, hold on a minute, my husband is calling me…

Now, where was I? Let’s see, oh right; remaining calm. Well, if we need to practice, where is the ideal place to do it? One of my Yoga teachers, Rodney Yee, suggests, “Even if you do have a designated yoga room, on some days you may feel like practicing in a different space. Go with your intuition and lay down your mat wherever you wish.” http://www.gaiam.com/product/yoga-studio/yoga-instructors/rodney-yee/yoga+core+cross+train+dvd.doWait, now one of my kids needs me, and I think I hear the doorbell…

Wow, I can’t get a moment’s worth of quiet. I’m sure you can relate to being pulled in different directions at once. Hey, forget about laying down a mat, who has time for that? The whole world is a Jewish woman’s Yoga mat! We are constantly multi-tasking while striving to maintain a semblance of grace. That’s it, bingo! The best time and place to practice remaining calm, is always and everywhere. The family will need us, the phone will ring, but we can roll with it. Not to fret, it’s not as hard as it sounds. In fact, you can even practice a calming exercise while you’re out shopping. Yep, shopping!The next time you’re in a store, try this; absorb the total experience. Don’t think about what happened a few minutes before, don’t worry about all the things you have to do a few minutes after, just be in the present moment. Focus on what you’re doing. Look around and really see al the colors and textures. Pick something up and really feel it’s weight in your hands. Some ‘retail therapy’ can do wonders for your mind. It can be a quick, much needed break.

Renee Salem Hanan, Co-owner of Shelly and Renee Productions, says, “There’s a sense of satisfaction, an excitement to finding an unexpected bargain. Trying on a new blouse or dress, etc. is an instant mood lifter!” As added incentive to do something nice for yourself, Shelly and Renee Productions is offering a free gift with purchase, at their sample sale of Nancy Gonzalez handbags (575 Madison Ave., 8th fl.) Hurry though, because this offer is good only on May 5th & 6th, while the supply of free gifts last! http://shellyandrenee.com/

Jonathan Zemmol of The Yellow Door concurs saying, “Sometimes the act of shopping, even for something as simple as a new vase or a lovely costume earring, can brighten someone’s day. The smallest of purchases can bring great pleasure. Everyone appreciates beauty, and it can be obtained at almost any price.” The Yellow Door in Brooklyn is extending their current Preferred Customer promotion to The Jewish Hostess readers; it’s $50 off any purchase of $200 or more. Offer expires May 9, 2010. Make sure to print out copy of this article to qualify for this special discount. http://www.theyellowdoor.com/See, I told you practicing a calming exercise is easier than it sounds! As always, scroll all the way down to post your comments. Let me know what you think and if you tried some ‘retail therapy.’ Tell your friends to comment too, because 1 lucky winner will be chosen to receive a FREE Thai Yoga Massage from www.embodyinc.com

Marissa Anteby is a wife, and a mother of 4 children. Her company www.embodyinc.com hosts holistic exercise classes in Cycling, Pilates, and Yoga, in cities throughout New York and New Jersey. Marissa maintains more than 10 wellness related certifications, including Reiki Massage, and Thai Yoga Massage. embodyinc.blogspot.com

1. Ratio of brans & oats not exact – I am fairly confident this is close to what I used, but may be a hair off. Additionally, you could use more wheat bran and less oat, and vice versa. The oat bran gives it a great texture, however.

2. WW Flour could likely be used in place of A.P, as well as the Spelt. I wanted to incorporate Spelt flour, and added in some A.P. just because I wasn’t sure if WW would encourage it to be too dense. Baby steps!

3. If you don’t have/dislike maple syrup, I am sure these would rock just as hard with molasses or honey – especially molasses.

4. I used between 1/2 c. and 3/4 c. grated carrots…but I think next time I’ll up the ante and use a whole cup.

3. Combine flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in seperate bowl. Then add this and grated carrots to the master bowl.

4. Mix just until moistened. Do not overmix! You can also add in raisins or dates at this point.

5. Think to self “well dang, at least this smells delicious…will it taste this delicious?”

Spoon into greased [okay, sprayed] tins of choice.

5. Pray to the baking gods that you crafted something successful.

Bake for about 20m. It is very easy to underbake these, so be careful and cut one in half before taking them out. I find that the with the oat bran, it actually get s a really nice “crust” when done for a couple minutes longer than completely necessary, anyways!

An easy way to add an element of green to your table is to create a covering made from a natural fiber cord such as jute or hemp. Jute is 100% biodegradable and requires little to no chemicals for production.
I picked up a cute little set of 4 juice glasses and a matching carafe at a local second hand shop. If you want your set to be eco friendly try your second hand shops, stuff you already have or look into sets made of recycled glass (an ever-growing industry).

Glue one end of the 5-½ piece of cord to the base of the Carafe. Leave a little bit of the end unglued so that you can later point it upward and wrap the cord over it as you secure it around the circumference of the Carafe. I also started mine slightly above the actual bottom of the carafe so that it does not touch the table surface. This is optional.
Continue to lay down about 3 inches of glue in the desired path of the cord. Keep snaking it around until you get to the end. You should be able to pull up part of the glued down cord with the end of a pair of scissors and tuck the raw end of the cord into it so that it is hidden.
Repeat the same steps with the glasses.

You’re done! Now you have the perfect set to serve wine or water in to your guests!

Those of you who read my other blog Sketch42 know that all year long I have been on a quest to eat local and organic food. (And this was before Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution!) You also know that IT AINT EASY! By mid-Feburary my family was quite sick of butternut squash, cabbage and apples…. Thankfully, Spring is here and I will soon be planting my garden in New Jersey. But this year, I will also be planting another garden. A little herb garden on my window sill.

Michael Pollan author of In Defense of Food, Food Rules and The Omnivore’s Dilemma (just some light reading about the current abysmal state of the industrial food system) lists growing your own food as the GREENEST thing you can possibly do.(Keeping Shabbat is also on his list!!!) It’s also the healthiest food you will ever eat.

Here are the instructions for setting up your own herb garden:

1. You need one large pot, or a few smaller pots.

2. Put gravel or rocks over drainage hole.

3. Fill pot with soil mix – to 1” from top of pot

4. Use an organic fertilizer and mix in with soil

5. Scatter herb seeds on surface

6. Cover with soil according to directions on packet (some herbs seeds should not be covered)

– Light requirements: 6 hours in a sunny window for most herbs, 4 is OK for rosemary, mint, and parsley.
– You could also use a grow light. It should be approximately 16 inches above the plants and needs to be on for 12 to 14 hours to provide the equivalent of 6 hours sunlight. It looks like a fluorescent light tube.
– Drainage: All herbs require especially good drainage. The containers must have drainage holes on the bottom, and Leda recommend adding additional perlite or sand to a commercial potting soil mix (1 part perlite or sand to 3 parts mix).
– Watering: Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes people make when growing herbs indoors. The surface of the soil must be allowed to dry to a depth of 1-inch before watering, and then it should be a good, deep watering (until water flows through the drainage holes).
– Feeding: Herbs should be fed once a month with a half-strength organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion.

OR… You can buy ready made kits that make it super easy to grow your own herbs.

Who would ever think that popular brand baby bottles, pacifiers, and toys could possibly be dangerous to our kids health?

This week, Earth Day prompts us all to be aware of the chemicals in the environment and in our homes.

Pregnancy and early childhood are critical times in babies’ lives because they are growing and developing so rapidly. During this time they are vulnerable to elements in their environment, and we as parents should protect them as much as possible from exposure to potentially harmful substances.

PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) is a hard plastic that requires harsh chemical softeners, such as phthalates, to make it appropriate for use in soft plastic baby toys such as squirty toys.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is used in hard, clear plastics sometimes used in baby toys to prevent breakage.

In 2003 it was shown that products manufactured with PVC and BPA were shown to disrupt reproductive functions and cause other developmental problems.

Make sure your baby products are also Nitrosamine free: Nitrosamines are found in latex products such as some infant teethers. They have been shown to cause cancer in many animals. Make sure all your teethers and soothers are nitrosamine free.

Its time to dive into our kitchen cabinets and take stock of the harmful plastic baby bottles and storage containers that we use daily.

You’ve probably heard of BPA, the chemical used in polycarbonate plastic food and beverage containers and in resin linings for cans. Originally considered safe, the FDA has now acknowledged concerns about the potential effects of BPA on the brain and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and young children.

Women are usually the decision makers in regards to the kitchen products purchased. We owe it to our families to research

Served over a bed of sliced avocado and brown rice, this dish makes a healthy and fat free main course.

They are also pretty for company when u make them in a small patty size.

Black Bean burgers

4 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained

4 large scallions chopped

1-2 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

½ teaspoons cumin

1 and ½ cup cooked brown rice (revised)

Salt and pepper

Directions for this Kosher Recipe

In a food processor pulse half the beans with scallions, jalepeno, and cumin. In a large bowl combine bean puree with rice and remaining beans , season with salt and pepper . Form into patties small or large (may freeze at this point)

Spread puree in a 15 x 10 inch baking pan and set on a counter to dry, uncovered, for one hour.

Scoop 2 tablespoons of the puree onto a wax paper-lined tray, then press and pat with your fingers into a 2 inch wide patty. Make a small dent in the center of the patty with the tip of your pinky finger (to help cook evenly). Continue, arranging patties in one layer on wax paper.

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a 5 quart heavy pot until thermometer registers 340 degrees. Working in batches of 4-6, gently drop patties into hot oil to fry for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cooked falafel patties to a paper towel lined platter to drain. Be sure oil returns to 340 degrees between batches.

Falafel may be served warm or at room temperature, as a side dish, an appetizer, or even a main dish.

***For a low fat alternative, place falafel patties on a lightly greased baking sheet and spray them with oil. Bake at 375 degrees until golden.

This delicious falafel recipe is from “The Best of Lottie’s Kitchen” cookbook. To read more about Lottie’s Kitchen in Jerusalem click here.

This week, I had the privilege of accidentally being included in a chat session with a bunch of girls that are on our “30 Day Detox Challenge!” I was SO impressed by the support and dedication that they were giving each other. I couldn’t believe what was going on…questions, answers, thoughts, and simply being there for each other. It truly brought tears to my eyes. It was a wake up call to me…as I was reading, I was thinking “this is really happening!” Its not just a bunch of emails. There are really groups of girls that are really coming out of their comfort zone… changing the way they are eating, and looking to make long lasting changes for the betterment of their health and wellness. Who knows how this is going to snow ball. All I can say is “Hooray to US!”

A major part of the success of this challenge is your “e-mail buddy” I’m still pairing people up, so send me a note if you need help!

I’m receiving such exciting feedback on how women on the Detox are beginning to gain awareness of what foods are being put in their bodies-more awareness than ever before! For instance, a bite of “this” and taste of “that,” – usually the thought was, oh, its only a little piece of cookie…cake..etc.. Most people never realized the hidden sugars that are found in many foods like breads, dressings and white rice sushi. Others are just amazed at how well they are doing!

Here is the question of the day: Can I use cane juice or cane fiber? How about honey? After researching a little, this is what I came up with: ”One hundred grams of dried cane juice is pretty much the same thing as 100 grams of other sweeteners, no matter what you call it,” says a nutritionist at the respected Bastyr University, in Seattle, Washington.

“Dehydrated cane juice is sugar. It simply sounds like a whole food.” The author thinks that virtually every commonly used sweetener is as bad as sugar when it makes up a significant part of the diet.

Albeit, evaporated cane juice does not undergo the same degree of processing that refined sugar does. It’s benefits is that it does retain trace vitamins and minerals. Cane juice has the same amount of calories as sugar but since its sweeter, you might get away of using less of it than sugar-which is always good!

There are mixed results about whether honey is better than sugar. It depends on the individuals health and condition. Consider- Honey is a sweet, thick fluid made by honey bees from the nectar of flowering plants. Honey is sweeter than sugar (100% sucrose), has more calories than sugar and raises the blood sugar even more than white sugar. The plus side is that raw honey reportedly has medicinal benefits and contains enzymes and small amounts of minerals and B-complex vitamins.

Whether you’re talking about cane sugar, honey, barley malt or Sucanat , they’re all primarily simple sugars, simple carbohydrates. People should understand that, if they’re eating 150 pounds of sugar a year and you change that to 150 pounds of barley malt, you’ll have the same problems with your immune system and blood sugar levels you would have if you are eating the sugar.

The bottom line is- use these sweetener substitutes sparingly!

From my own experience, I use as much “real” food sweeteners as possibly. Eating a sweet potato is a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth. If someone told me that last year, I would of thought they were crazy. A sweet potato vs. Oreos? No way! I can assure you, its works. If you are new to detoxing from sugar it will take some time to retrain your taste buds. When you can start tasting the sweetness of a carrot or even the sweetness in brown rice, thats when you know you’ve got it. Until then, use sweeteners such as Agave, Stevia,(more about these next time) honeycomb honey, cane fiber or cane juice,-use it sparingly and if needed. Notice how you may need a certain amount on week 1, and less of it by week 4 and so on.

To my “Detox Buddies”:

Another great Sugar Detox on Friday and Saturday,(though splurged on empanadas!-but no sugar) I visited my sister in law Olga on Shabbat who is doing great on the challenge, I have to say I was so impressed, her house was filled with great choice snacks, such as, dried mango from the health food store, raw unsalted pecans, fruits and dates- way to go! my mind and body are feeling good.

Send in your questions! I will address questions through this News Letter. There may be a delay when answering individual questions-but I will get to them!

Send me your comments on how you are doing. The challenges that your facing, and/or the success that is coming your way. You can sign it anonymous or your name-your choice! We all want to know what’s going on!!

Note: since my email list grew considerably, I needed to upgrade my Blackberry. Upon switching phones, I lost many valuable email addresses and cell phone numbers. So, I have a favor to ask of you. When you receive this e-mail news letter, please ask your friends or family if they received it as well-if not-please let me know!

On the evening preceding Yom HaZikaron and again, in the morning, a siren wails throughout Israel and everyone pauses for the one minute duration of the siren. Traffic grinds to a halt, and both pedestrians and drivers stand at attention silently, contemplating the sacrifices made for this country still struggling for survival.

Throughout the country, special services are held in honor of the fallen soldiers. The military cemeteries overflow with grieving families and friends, and others wishing to pay their respects to heroes who gave their lives defending the State of Israel. It is a day commemorating the loss of all men and women who died for Israel, whether they served in the IDF, Israel’s armed services, or were victims of acts of terror.

Jews outside of Israel feel Israel’s loss too – as it says in the Talmud, “Kol Yehudim areivim zeh lezeh” (“All Jews are responsible for one another”). Many light memorial candles, give tzedaka (charity) or learn Torah on behalf of the fallen soldiers.

On July 17, 2008, Karnit Goldwasser, buried her husband Ehud, captured two years earlier by the terrorist group Hezbollah.

This video is presented in honor of all of the wives and mothers who mourn Israeli soldiers today, and forever.

Earth Day got me thinking about my every day cooking and my impact upon our earth. Each day I prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner for a growing family- and within a day or two I am almost always throwing out leftovers, fruits that I bought too much of, vegetables that I decided not to make…. How is all this waste impacting the environment? Here a few facts just to give you an idea of the food being wasted in America:

So tomorrow morning instead of throwing out my challah from Saturday Shabbat lunch, I will be making baked challah french toast!

Ingredients:

1 loaf cinnamon raisin challah bread (Plain challah bread works great with this recipe as well)

3 eggs

2 cups whole milk (Sometimes I do one cup skim and one cup whole)

3 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp of cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Slice Challah bread in 2 inch thick slices and place in pyrex that has been sprayed with pam.

Combine eggs, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl and pour over bread. Let the bread soak up the mixture. Flip slices of bread and let it continue to soak up the mixture- this should only take a few minutes.

Not that there is anything wrong with my grandma, there is no chicer woman on earth and I steal almost all of my ideas from her…. But, this modern table setting is not quite her type!!! First, I used a scrap of fabric that I had left over from my bulletin board project, and I threw it on the table… I like that it doesnt cover the entire table‘s width, and that the front and back edges are cut not sewn. I think it adds to the flavor!

I used my basic white dishes instead of my “fancy” ones, but I mixed them with the gold silverware that I normally use with my other set. (Sometimes a basic white dish is the best thing you can ask for! It may be boring, but it allows you to be so much more creative with your accessories!)

I used black linen napkins from Conran Shop in lucite napkin rings, and the woven wicker placemats were from Pottery Barn. I love the wicker placemats, they add texture to the table. My kiddush cup was once part of a set that I bought at an antique store, but alas, it is the lone survivor!

I used a gold leaf tray from home goods for my challah… The two black studded vases are also from home goods. The center one is from Ikea and I think it is probably the best $49 dollars I ever spent!

Of course, I will be adding little bowls of olives, and some of my meal to the table so I dont want to clutter it up before they even get here. I will be moving the big vase to the server when we sit at the table.

We made it thru a week Sugar Free!
Are you starting to feel lighter? Maybe have a little bit more energy?

Some notes: resist the urge to weigh yourself! Weighing yourself misses the point on where we are going with this. I know many of us want to shed pounds, but if we rely on the numbers of the scale to dictate to us how we should feel-we then will not be able to learn how to be in tune with how our bodies feel. Some days we wake up feeling awesome, energetic. We may feel like we for sure dropped 2lbs. though the scale says we gained a half a pound. Our emotions then go up and down. There is enough stress in our lives that can send our emotions on a roller coaster. Its best not to self inflict it.
As a group, we weighed ourselves on Day 1 of Sugar Detox. We will weigh ourselves again on Day 30.
Let’s take a group promise to stay off the scale.
Say:” I will not weigh myself until Day 30 of the Challenge”

I hope you benefited from last nights e mail. Last April, I learned that my sugar addiction was a true addiction and not about a lack of will power. That’s what gave me the DESIRE to kick the habit.

Can you send me YOUR personal stories? We would all love to read some. When you send me an email please include if you allow me to reprint it and how I should sign it, your name or anonymous.

Below is a comment from our first brave sharer!

“As a person who suffers from migraine and tension headaches often, I’m happy to report that for 8 days I have not had any headaches! I’m actually shocked and amazed at myself, how I’m even doing it.
I am (hopefully was) totally addicted and fully dependent on sugar, sugar substitutes and anything sweet.
Nothing was ever too sweet for me. When my kids would put something down and not eat it bc they said it was too sweet for them, I picked it up and ate it. I’m laughing at my breakfast this morning (oatmeal with strawberries and blueberry with a spoon of agave).
In my usual oatmeal, I would put 2 sweet n lows, brown sugar and pancake syrup! It sounds gross, but it really wasn’t too sweet for me. I hope to continue to be strong, and not have these cravings and desires anymore.
Sari- i was asking you on the holidays, “so if you can’t eat this, and you can’t eat that then, what can you eat?.”
I’m eating, and I’m satisfied, and I’m full…I just hope I lose weight with this

P.S. I made a huge batch of rice krispie treats for shabbat. And I did not have even one crumb of it! Its one of my many sweet favorites…I’m very proud!” Olga Schweky

Thank you Olga!
Put on your Calendars: May 7, a class experience to unit all a Detoxers. 10-12. RSVP-ASAP!

As you know, The Jewish Hostess, is a brand new site, started by three Jewish women like yourselves looking to create a place online to share our creativity, war stories, tips and everything else that goes along with being a Jewish Hostess!! We are looking for writers from all walks of life. Have a family recipe that needs to be shared? Are you crafty? Great ideas for Shabbat lunches? Want to talk about keeping a kosher kitchen? Nutrition? Motherhood? Fitness?